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Scoop

Lord Copper, newspaper magnate and proprietor of the
Daily Beast, has always prided himself on his intuitive flair for spotting ace reporters. That is not to say he has not made the odd blunder, however, and may in a moment of weakness make another. Acting on a dinner party tip from Mrs. Algernon Stitch, Lord Copper feels convinced that he has hit on just the chap to cover a promising war in the African Republic of Ishmaelia. So begins
Scoop.

Black Mischief

Black Mischief, Waugh's third novel, helped to establish his reputation as a master satirist. Set on the fictional African island of Azania, the novel chronicles the efforts of Emperor Seth, assisted by the Englishman Basil Seal, to modernize his kingdom. Profound hilarity ensues from the issuance of homemade currency, the staging of a "Birth Control Gala", the rightful ruler's demise at his own rather long and tiring coronation ceremonies and a good deal more mischief.

A Handful of Dust

After seven years of marriage, the beautiful Lady Brenda Last has grown bored with life at Hetton Abbey, the Gothic mansion that is the pride and joy of her husband, Tony. She drifts into an affair with the shallow socialite John Beaver and forsakes Tony for the Belgravia set. In a novel that combines tragedy, comedy, and savage irony, Evelyn Waugh indelibly captures the irresponsible mood of the "crazy and sterile generation" between the wars.

Men at Arms

Guy Crouchback, determined to get into the war, takes a commission in the Royal Corps of Halberdiers. His spirits high, he sees all the trimmings but none of the action. And his first campaign, an abortive affair on the West African coastline, ends with an escapade which seriously blots his Halberdier copybook.
Men at Arms is the first book in Waugh’s brilliant trilogy, Sword of Honour, which chronicles the fortunes of Guy Crouchback.

Decline and Fall

Expelled from Oxford for indecent behaviour, Paul Pennyfeather is oddly unsurprised to find himself qualifying for the position of schoolmaster at Llanabba Castle. His colleagues are an assortment of misfits, including Prendy (plagued by doubts) and Captain Grimes, who is always in the soup (or just plain drunk). Then Sports Day arrives, and with it the delectable Margot Beste-Chetwynde, floating on a scented breeze. As the farce unfolds and the young run riot, no one is safe, least of all Paul.

The End of the Affair

Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year, 2013. Audie Award Nominee, Best Solo Narration, 2013. Graham Greene’s evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God is an English classic that has been translated for the stage, the screen, and even the opera house. Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth (The King's Speech, A Single Man) turns in an authentic and stirring performance for this distinguished audio release.

Officers and Gentlemen

Undergoing training on the Isle of Mugg, Guy Crouchback is now attached to a commando unit where the ministry whisky flows freely and HM Forces have to show proper respect to the Laird. But the comedy of Mugg is followed by the bitterness of Crete: the indignity of withdrawal or surrender.

Unconditional Surrender

Guy Crouchback has lost his Halberdier idealism. A desk job in London gives him the chance of reconciliation with his former wife. Then, in Yugoslavia, as a liaison officer with the partisans, he finally becomes aware of the futility of a war he once saw in terms of honour.

Vile Bodies

A satiric novel by Evelyn Waugh, published in 1930. Set in England between the wars, the novel examines the frenetic but empty lives of the Bright Young Things, young people who indulge in constant party-going, heavy drinking, and promiscuous sex. At the novel's end, the realities of the world intrude, with Adam Fenwick-Symes, the protagonist, serving on a battlefield at the onset of another world war.

The Razor's Edge

Larry Darrell is a young American in search of the absolute. The progress of this spiritual odyssey involves him with some of Maugham's most brilliant characters: his fiancée Isabel, whose choice between love and wealth have lifelong repercussions; and Elliot Templeton, her uncle, a classic expatriate American snob. The most ambitious of Maugham's novels, this is also one in which Maugham himself plays a considerable part as he wanders in and out of the story, to observe his characters struggling with their fates.

Put Out More Flags

What happened to the characters of
Decline and Fall and
Vile Bodies when the war broke out?
Put Out More Flags shows them adjusting to the changing social pattern of the times. Some of them play valorous parts; others, like the scapegrace Basil Sea, disclose their incorrigible habit of self-preservation in all circumstances. Basil's contribution to the war effort involves the use of his peculiar talents in such spheres of opportunity as the Ministry of Information and an obscure section of Military Security.

A Burnt-Out Case

When Querry, a world famous architect, finds he no longer enjoys his life he sets off on a voyage. Arriving anonymously at a leper colony in the Congo, he is diagnosed as the mental equivalent of a ‘burnt-out case’. Querry slowly moves towards a cure, his mind getting clearer as he works for the colony. However, in the heart of the tropics, no relationship with a woman will ever be taken as innocent….

Publisher's Summary

The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold is a semi-autobiographical story, which tells of the mental breakdown of an aging writer. Gilbert Pinfold takes a cruise to try to rebuild his shattered life, but what should his life be, and is he important to the world, anyway?

A poignant and sad book which is in turn often darkly humorous and uplifting, too, this is an insight into both the recesses of Waugh's own mind and his brilliant imagination, from which he creates a character who is both likeable and often openly derisable.

I found this audiobook by chance, and I loved every second of it. This superb little book manages to convey the experience of "hearing voices" in a perfectly believable way, while still remaining humorous and engaging. And the narration is nothing short of perfect. Every character gets a rich and perfectly suited voice. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Thomas

Boulder, CO, USA

21/11/08

Overall

"Superb"

Waugh's best book, superbly read by the narrator. I highly recommend the book and this audio version to anyone who relishes irony, and to students of personal decline and madness.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Thomas

Gainesville, FL, United States

07/10/10

Overall

"Great reader"

I didn't much care for the novel. For some reason I couldn't understand what about the character's predicament was interesting. Michael Cochrane's reading, on the other hand, is magnificent. It was the reader rather than the writer that got me through this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Ivan

06/02/09

Overall

"Laughed out loud. A lot."

People must have thought I was a crazy person - while I listened to this sharp, strange novel about a lazy egomanic I was laughing out loud. On the subway. On the street. In stores. The narrator and the novel are hilarious!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Virginia Waldron

30/03/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Utterly Hilarious"

Where does The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book was such a surprise for me. It actually made me laugh aloud. I had to re-read it immediately as I just loved it so much.

What other book might you compare The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold to and why?

The Diary of a Nobody is mentioned in the book. It is not similar in style or period but both books are hilarious. I have not read anything like Gilbert Pinfold.

What about Michael Cochrane’s performance did you like?

The narrator was brilliant. Really nailed it. He added to the hilarity of the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed until my stomach hurt once.

Any additional comments?

Loved, loved, loved it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bobby

24/03/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Meh..."

Just didn't really enjoy. Wasn't as funny as I was hoping. Narrator speaks a little too slowly and pauses too long

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

M. Mcewen-asker

San Jose, CA USA

16/04/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Entertaining and Mind-Bending"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if you have a high tolerance for unexpected skips and escapes due to some technological blips.

What did you like best about this story?

Pace and humor.

Which character – as performed by Michael Cochrane – was your favorite?

Who was the most memorable character of The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold and why?

Gilbert, because the reader cannot help but sympathize, especially since the autobiographical torture led [eventually] to his recovery.

Any additional comments?

Can't go wrong with this choice.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Animal friendly

28/01/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"i can't believe i listened to the whole thing."

What would have made The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold better?

Waugh is a wonderful writer but this was an ordeal to listen to. obvious from the beginning and way too long.

What do you think your next listen will be?

it is Kate Atkinson,

What about Michael Cochrane’s performance did you like?

he's a good narrator.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

not really, except the idea.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

xana

ATLANTA, GA, United States

16/01/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"boring"

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book was a type of British humor I found uninteresting.

What was most disappointing about Evelyn Waugh’s story?

The main character was not in a muddle, and unfortunately I as listener did not care.

What about Michael Cochrane’s performance did you like?

He performed well, but the story did not hold together.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not that I can think of.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Karen

White Plains, NY, United States

19/12/11

Overall

Performance

Story

"Highbrow & hilarious!"

In true "The Loved One" satire, Waugh describes a droll college professor in denial of his addition to pain meds and sleep aids. His journey blends a strange mix of reality and fantasy in quite humorous fashion, leaving the "reader" to wonder which was which -- an entertaining journey.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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